In October 2013, Steven Black (shown on left) was at a reception at the Cork City Hall in Ireland among many pioneers and adventurers of Sandycove Island. Over the years, Black has been honored by the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association (shown on right with John Conroy in 2019).
Black pioneered the Triple Crown of Prison Island Swims, otherwise known as Triple Break for his swims from Robben Island in South Africa, Alcatraz Island in California, and Spike Island in Ireland. He also crossed the English Channel and Strait of Gibraltar.
Black recalls the days when he was pioneering Sandycove Island. “People thought we were crazy back then. Now you are crazy if you DON’T get in.“
Last week, International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame chairperson Ned Denison interviewed Black about the pioneering days in the previous century up until the early 2000’s. He shared many memories from around Kinsale in County Cork.
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